HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-25 Public Comment - M. Kaveney - AHO comments for CDB meeting today, Jan. 13, 2025From:Marcia Kaveney
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]AHO comments for CDB meeting today, Jan. 13, 2025
Date:Monday, January 13, 2025 10:25:07 AM
Attachments:2025.Jan.13. Comments for CDB..pdf
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Please place these comments in the AHO folder for tonight's discussion at the Community
Development Board meeting.
Thank you,
Marcia
January 13, 2025
Dear Mr. Happel and Community Development Board members,
Thank you in advance for the volunteer work you do for the City of Bozeman. I submit these
comments for your review for tonight’s CDB meeting (1.13.25).
I am very concerned to learn that one of the considerations of staK is to allow aKordable
housing developments to be exempt from either the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay
District and/or from having to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness. If my understanding
is correct, then residents will have even fewer protections for their own home investments
and their neighborhood integrity.
This is not to say I am against new developments in old neighborhoods, I simply believe
that new developments proposals using the AHO are already being oKered many incentives
to help with costs and reduction of regulations and that we need to simultaneously
maintain the integrity of existing neighborhoods with the NCOD and COA guidelines.
I read and agree with Alison Sweeney’s comments that clear language is necessary so that
planners and developers know what to expect when evaluating or designing a proposal.
Please review and recommend that her suggestions all be added back into the new
ordinance.
Specifically, please recommend the following:
1.Reinstatement of the COA requirement in the AHO.
2. Include the language from Section 7 in the original ordinance 2105 requiring compliance
with the NCOD.
3. Request stricter adherence to the current existing Bozeman Municipal Codes and NCOD
policies and guidelines.
For example:
I have been informed by staK that there are no codes to protect trees on private property.
However, that appears to be in error. The following Site Review codes were not upheld for
7th and Aspen: Plan Review Criteria. 38.230.100.A.7.a.,c., and d., and the following NCOD
policy and guidelines are not being upheld by the Guthrie submittal:
“Policy:
Traditionally, plant beds were located around building foundations, along walkways, and
sometimes in front of fences. Some of these plantings may have historic significance and
should be retained to the extent feasible. Mature trees may also contribute to the
historic landscape and should be preserved.” (Emphasis mine.)
“Guidelines:
1. Preserve and maintain mature trees and significant vegetation within all corridors.
- Include existing vegetation as part of a landscape design scheme where appropriate.
- In development areas, healthy trees and vegetation clusters should be identified
for preservation.
-Special consideration should be given to mature trees, 6 inches or greater
in diameter, and to vegetation clusters with significant visual impact.
- Vegetation designated for preservation should be incorporated into new
development site designs to the maximum extent possible.”
4. Missing middle housing is up to 3 stories, which is already allowed in every zone. Height
incentives do not lead to building the missing middle, they lead to 4 plus story buildings. If
one of the goals of the AHO is to incentivize the building of missing middle housing then
height incentives should be minimized.
In conclusion, it is our city codes that provide assurance and predictability for new
development in older neighborhoods. I strongly believe we need to keep those regulations
of appropriateness and preservation intact to provide the protections all residents deserve.
Removing or weakening protections such as zone edge transitions, parking, mature tree
protections has led to a great deal of tension between residents and City government that
can be avoided in the future with strict adherence to city codes. It is the responsibility of
developers and other land or home buyers to do their due diligence to know the limitations
or restrictions on their property before buying it and City staK can help with stricter
interpretation of our protective codes and relaying that information early in the
development process.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Marcia Kaveney